Animal lovers join the Singapore Conversation

(Left to right) : Ms Cassandra Chiu with her guide dog, Esme (second from left), Grassroots Adviser of Nee Soon South GRC, MP Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (centre), and General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr William Wan (second from right), discussing the importance of equipping the public, potential and existing pet owners with adequate knowledge about the responsibility of owning pets.

Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Health & Ministry of Transport, Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (centre), with students of Chung Cheng High School mapping out their vision of a kind and pet-friendly Singapore.

Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Health & Ministry of Transport, Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (third from left), General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr William Wan (fourth from left), Ms Cassandra Chiu (centre) and Chief Advocate (volunteer) for the Agency for Animal Welfare, Ms Eunice Nah, along with the award winners of the inaugural Kind Neighbour – Great Pets Awards.

Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Health & Ministry of Transport, Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (centre), with students of Chung Cheng High School mapping out their vision of a kind and pet-friendly Singapore.

Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Health & Ministry of Transport, Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (third from left), General Secretary of Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr William Wan (fourth from left), Ms Cassandra Chiu (centre) and Chief Advocate (volunteer) for the Agency for Animal Welfare, Ms Eunice Nah, along with the award winners of the inaugural Kind Neighbour – Great Pets Awards.

By David Ee

The first Our Singapore Conversation about animal welfare issues threw up direct calls for action, and linked treatment of animals here with the oft-mentioned notion of a gracious society.

About 50 participants gathered at Khoo Teck Puat hospital today, and raise issues ranging from the need for stricter legislation on pet breeders and traders, to how greater tolerance and a "kinder" Singapore would better both peoples' and animals' lives.

Some also called for a cabinet minister to 'champion' these issues for the community.

The session, which was facilitated by Member of Parliament Muhammed Faishal Ibrahim, drew pet-owners and animal welfare groups, as well as students from Chung Cheng High School and Yishun Junior College.